A community forum to launch Benalla's Zero Net Energy Transition Strategy will be held on Tuesday 28th November. The strategy is a plan for how all of Benalla's energy can come from renewable sources. This forum has been jointly organised by Renewable Energy Benalla and Beyond Zero Emissions with support from Benalla council.

The community group, Renewable Energy Benalla (REB), was established after the successful community forum held in October 2016 to discuss a renewable energy future for Benalla. The major objective of REB is to have Benalla become a zero net energy town by reducing energy use and balancing local energy needs with a 100% renewable energy supply.

In December last year Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE), a national not for profit research and communication think tank, whose goal is to have Australia become a renewable energy superpower, selected Benalla as one of the three Victorian communities they would work with to help develop a transition strategy to zero net energy.

In May this year REB conducted a community stakeholder workshop in conjunction with Beyond Zero Emissions to seek community input into the development of a transition strategy to 100% renewable energy for Benalla. Many ideas about possible actions to achieve zero net energy for Benalla were put forward under the three headings of: Buildings and Energy Efficiency; Solar and Community Energy; Large Scale Solar and Storage. These ideas have formed the basis of the transition strategy.

John Lloyd, Convenor of Renewable Energy Benalla, said, "As well as launching the transition strategy the purpose of the forum will be to explore opportunities for energy efficiency, roof top solar, bulk buy programs, community energy projects, battery storage and large scale energy projects. We will also be looking to establish action groups to help REB drive each of these opportunities. We will need the help of community members if we are to make this happen."

The forum will be held at BPACC on Monday 28th November from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. Everyone is welcome.